Roughly 16% of people go to a dermatologist every year. Are you one of these people? Or do you fall into the 84% of people who go without? While scheduling and going to appointments can seem unnecessary, we promise it’s worth it. Whether we catch skin cancer early or treat the acne you’ve been fighting for years, regularly visiting a dermatologist in Shawnee can bring a range of benefits to your skin’s health.
Not only do we have top-tier treatments and specialists, but scheduling and making appointments at Kansas City Skin and Cancer Center is also unlike your average experience. But don’t just take our word for it! Keep reading to learn more—and then make an appointment to see for yourself.
Why You Need Dermatology
When it comes to the health of your skin, hair, and nails, dermatology plays a crucial and indispensable role. Dermatologists are essential for treating acne, which is common among children and teenagers, but also persists in adults. Apart from their diagnostic and treatment capabilities for rashes and itchy skin, they excel at identifying the underlying factors responsible for these conditions and providing successful treatment options. When cuts or scrapes become infected, dermatologists offer the necessary care to promote healing.
They also conduct skin cancer checks by carefully examining moles and other spots to ensure that they are not posing any harm. Dermatologists offer a range of treatments to effectively manage and alleviate many kinds of symptoms. Regular visits to your dermatologist at KCSCC can help ensure your skin stays healthy and vibrant.
Why Choose KCSCC?
We are always advancing our knowledge and expertise at Kansas City Skin & Cancer Center. By keeping ourselves informed about the latest technological advancements in skin care and cosmetic procedures, our patients can benefit from the best possible treatments.
When you visit our center, you can take advantage of our wide range of services, which include Mohs surgery, recognized as the most advanced treatment for skin cancer, as well as our in-house pathology services. Our doctors can develop personalized treatment plans when you visit us in person at any of our 3 locations!
Concerns Dermatologists Can Address
Dermatologists handle various issues concerning the skin, hair, and nails. They specialize in addressing common issues such as acne, rashes, and skin infections, offering highly effective solutions that not only promote healing but also enhance the overall appearance of the skin.
It is of utmost importance to have regular skin checks conducted by dermatologists as they play a critical role in detecting skin cancer at an early stage. They also manage chronic conditions like eczema and psoriasis, offering therapies to alleviate symptoms. Additionally, dermatologists treat hair and nail disorders, such as hair loss and fungal infections, and provide cosmetic treatments like chemical peels and laser therapy to enhance skin health and appearance.
Skin Cancer: Mohs Surgery
Kansas City Skin & Cancer Center has earned the trust of hundreds of patients from all over the metro area who rely on them to address their most pressing skin health concerns every year.
Among the various cancer treatments available, Mohs Micrographic Surgery stands out as one of the most highly specialized and effective options. In fact, it offers the highest cure rate available—even if the skin cancer has been previously treated.
Mohs surgery, which is considered the gold-standard approach, is highly recommended for removing skin cancers and tumors located in high-risk areas of the body where tissue preservation is of utmost importance.
Mohs surgery is a cutting-edge treatment that incorporates the skills of a surgeon, pathologist, and reconstructive surgeon all in one. By utilizing this process, the surgeon is able to carefully trace, identify, and subsequently remove the entire tumor, ensuring that no healthy tissue is harmed in the process.
The Process
Examination
The process will begin with a consultation. During this process, your provider will provide you with an overview of the exact nature of the procedure. They will identify and mark the target location, and review what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. After administering local anesthesia, the procedure will begin.
First Removal Session
Using a scalpel, the surgeon will remove the visible tumor with a small margin of normal-appearing skin. The area will be temporarily bandaged, and you will have the opportunity to relax while the lab work begins. Since lab work is so thorough, we invite patients to bring books, magazines, or other activities to help pass the time.
Lab Analysis
The surgeon will divide the removed tissue into sections, color-code them with dye, and draw a map of the surgical site. In the lab, a technician will then freeze the divided tissue, and cut the frozen samples into thin, analyzable slices. The slices will be placed on microscope slides, stained, and covered. This process is incredibly thorough, and though it takes a while, it provides the highest cure rate.
Using a microscope, the surgeon will examine all the edges and underside of the tissue on the slides and, if any cancer cells remain, mark their location on the map.
Additional Removal
If there are cancer cells remaining, the surgeon will return and remove another layer of tissue from the target site. Over the course of the surgery, your surgeon will repeat steps 2-4 as many times as needed until there are no more cancer cells. This is what makes Mohs so effective and so precise. Though it may take time, Mohs surgery in Kansas City provides the highest cure rate and spares more healthy tissue compared to standard removal.
Wound Repair
Once the site is clear of all cancer cells, the wound may be left open to heal or the surgeon may close it with stitches. The way the chosen repair is handled will vary from patient to patient depending on the size and location of the defect.
Cosmetic Treatments We Offer
Our dermatology center has a wide range of services and treatments, all of which we are proud to offer! Here are a few treatments we are spotlighting on this blog:
Microneedling
Microneedling is an excellent treatment to smooth your skin’s texture. Using a series of small needles, it creates micro-injuries in your skin. These small punctures are just enough to spark your body’s healing response without causing significant damage or scarring to your skin, encouraging your body to produce more collagen.
Collagen is a protein that helps your skin maintain its strength, elasticity, and structure, all of which contribute to youthful-looking, healthy skin. But as you age, your skin’s collagen levels begin to decrease, making your skin “look its age.” Microneedling is there to save the day from aging. The boost in collagen can leave you with a rejuvenated, youthful, and glowing face.
Not only does it help with anti-aging, but in the same vein, it also helps with sun spots, acne scars, and lax skin—all because of that same principle. The micro-injuries make the skin produce new collagen to repair itself, refreshing and renewing the areas of your face that had become discolored, scarred, or uneven in texture.
As your skin recovers, you may notice redness and possibly some swelling in the treated areas for approximately 24 hours following the treatment.
After the redness and inflammation subsides, you will be back to normal life! Results can be seen 3 months following your treatment, after your body produces that collagen and restores your skin’s health and appearance.
Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning at the Kansas City Skin & Cancer Center is a gentle resurfacing of the skin using a single-use surgical blade to gently remove the outermost layer of skin.
Dermaplaning provides several advantages and is a minimally invasive procedure. This treatment is safe and effective for almost all skin types. If you’re experiencing skin dullness, dryness, or unwanted peach fuzz, we highly recommend this treatment as an effective solution. It enhances the texture of the skin, providing a radiant glow and promoting the production of new collagen.
The effects of dermaplaning typically last a few weeks. Since your skin cycles approximately every 4 weeks, we suggest undergoing additional treatment once a month to maintain the results.
Discover the importance of dermatology when you sign up for an appointment with our experts!
Taking care of your skin is more than just cosmetic and skincare products—even though we have those, too! Whether you have a specific issue or a few general concerns, you can count on having a timely appointment with an experienced professional.
More Information
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